Germany becomes 4th World Champion to be eliminated in the group stage

Defending World champions, Germany crashed out of the 2018 FIFA World Cup after losing 2-0 to South Korea in Kazan, Russia on Wednesday.

It is the first time Germany have failed to progress since 1938.

Kim Young-gwon broke the deadlock in stoppage time after the VAR overruled the original decision to rule the goal out for offside by the referee.

Son Heung-Min slotted the ball into an empty net for his side’s second goal after Germany committed all their players – even goalkeeper Manuel Neuer – forward in search of an equaliser.

Germany have now joined France (2002), Italy (2010), and Spain (2014) in the unenviable list of defending champions who have in recent time failed to go beyond the group stage in preceding World Cup.

Sweden and Mexico qualify from Group F.